Abstract

Carotenoids are colored pigments widespread distributed in nature. These lipophilic molecules are synthesized in plants, algae and some yeast and bacteria. In plants and algae, exert functional roles in photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis and in photoprotection. They also give rise to apocarotenoids, such as the hormones abscisic acid and strigolactones, among other volatile terpenes. Additionally, they possess antioxidant properties acting as reactive oxygen species scavengers. In mammals, they act as provitamin A precursors and as powerful antioxidant molecules involved in the prevention of certain types of diseases. Carotenoid biosynthesis in plants is highly regulated, although all the processes involved are not completely known. During the past decades almost all carotenogenic genes have been identified and those functions dissected as a result of molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches utilizing different plant, yeast and algae model systems. The knowledge has been used in genetic engineering for increasing abiotic stress tolerance and altering colour and nutritional value in plants, leading to the production of novel functional foods. In this book, an extensive review of the main topics of carotenoids biosynthesis, regulation and function, will be exposed.